Hamas official: Extended cease-fire deal

CAIRO, Aug. 26 (UPI) -- A Hamas official said Tuesday his organization and Israel had come to an agreement on a long-term truce to end the fighting in Gaza.

The Egypt-brokered deal would ease the blockade of Gaza to allow in supplies and building materials, Hamas negotiator Moussa Abu Marzouk said.

[Update: 10:20 a.m. ET]

As Hamas' Gaza Chief Ismail Haniyeh declared "victory" for the resistance movement, a spokesman for Israel said reports of a cease-fire are "just reports."

Israeli spokesmsan Mark Regev said the truce has not yet been signed.

According to the Hamas website, the reported deal would immediately halt hostilities in return for easing of the blockade. In one month, new negotiations would begin in Egypt on three core issues: the construction of a seaport and airstrip in Gaza, the arrests of the Palestinians released under the deal for kidnapped Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit and the arrest of those involved in the kidnapping and murder of three Israelis in the West Bank in June.